JUNE 01, 2007
The Ackerberg Group partners with KMOJ on potential northside site

If selected, Center for Communication and Development/KMOJ would co-own the property and occupy the entire second floor. Street-level retail and restaurant space would look onto West Broadway and over a new plaza created on the corner adjacent Penn Avenue.

KMOJ has grown from a 50 watt to 1,000 watt station since its 1976 formation. After several moves, the station currently lacks a permanent home. KMOJ's tenancy on the second floor of the Delisi's Building would provide much needed stability to the Penn and Broadway corner.

KMOJ's mission is to "develop and support the empowerment of the Black community through the power of mass communication by 1) providing information and education not offered through mainstream media outlets, and 2) teaching members of the Black community responsible journalism and media skills that offer professional experiences and increase the numbers of Black people employed in the media industry."

To compliment KMOJ's tenancy on the second floor, The Ackerberg Group is in the process of locating a sit-down restaurant to occupy at least half of the first floor and utilize the patio space. Additionally, The Ackerberg Group had preliminary conversations with the Northside Economic Opportunity Network (NEON) to identify potential local tenants and with an arts organization that may be interested in creatively utilizing some of the indoor/outdoor space.

Collaborative Design Group is providing architectural and structural engineering services on the project. The firm provides an extensive range of services including full architectural design, planning, programming, space planning and interior design, structural engineering and analysis, historical preservation and archaeology services. Collaborative design has extensive experience in the creative reuse of existing buildings such as the Sears Building and Plaza Verde.

Welsh Construction will act as contractor. Welsh Construction and The Ackerberg Group partnered on the renovation of the 1101 West Broadway Building, revitalizing a long-time vacant property at the corner of Emerson and West Broadway into a credit union, community development organization and coffee shop.

The land the plaza would sit on is currently owned by Metro Transit for use by a future BRT transit station. The Ackerberg Group will work with Metro Transit to further discuss the plaza proposal, if selected for the project.

For more information on the project, contact Margo Geffen (project manager) at 612-924-6415 or visit the project's webpage at www.ackerberg.com/development/delisi.

PROJECT TEAM

Proposed Ownership
The Ackerberg Group
Center for Communication and Development/KMOJ

Developer
The Ackerberg Group

Tenants
Center for Communication and Development/KMOJ

Architect
Collaborative Design Group | www.collaborativedesigngroup.com

Contractor
Welsh Construction | www.welshco.com/construction

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